The Beloved Baby Priestess of the Twelve Zodiac Gods - Chapter 42

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 42
Those who had sunk waist-deep into the earth thrashed desperately to pull themselves free.
And the deeper their silence, the crueler Do Gyeong’s hands became.
“Hmm. Do you think twisted limbs might loosen your tongues?”
In that instant, tree roots burst from the ground and bound their limbs.
“I wonder what happens when I pull from all four directions~?”
“Ugh—argh—you, you vicious bastard!”
“Right. I caught your introduction loud and clear. You lot always curse first when you’ve nothing else to say. Tsk, tsk.”
Do Gyeong chuckled softly as he tightened the roots with brutal force.
The screams of those whose limbs twisted tore through the silent night like the cries of wild animals.
“Mercy—please—I’ll talk—we are that person’s—urgh!”
One of them, unable to endure any longer, was about to break.
Shriek!
A flying blade that came from nowhere cut short the breathing of the living in an instant.
Do Gyeong, catching on too late, spun and hurled a blade at the assassin, but it went wide.
“Damn. Like master, like apprentice—this one’s quick on their feet.”
Under ordinary circumstances, he would have given chase, but he had come with Yeo Ryeong.
There could be others lurking; it was reckless to move precipitously.
Having lost his witnesses in a heartbeat, Do Gyeong brushed back his hair with a deflated expression.
“Sigh… Just when things were getting interesting, they cut it off like—like stopping mid-stride. What sort of courtesy is that?”
Do Gyeong’s aura remained sharp and undiminished, his frustration unabated.
Yeo Ryeong, who had been watching silently, looked down at the child and spoke.
“Enough. From their reaction, this is no ordinary matter.”
The child’s complexion was poor. From the look of worn shoes, it was clear they had been pursued for some time, and their small body was covered in bruises.
Moreover, judging by the aura emanating from the child, they appeared to be from Heok Ma-ga.
‘Who exactly is this child to provoke such ferocity?’
Yeo Ryeong, her mood grown bitter, gazed up quietly at the moon hanging in the sky.
Dark clouds gathered thickly around it, casting an ominous, desolate pall.
It felt like a premonition that something terrible was about to unfold.
“We’ll need to hear the story from this child directly.”
“My apologies. I let them slip away.”
“No matter. With this child here, they’ll return again soon enough.”
After gazing at the moon for a long while, Yeo Ryeong rose to her feet and passed the child to Do Gyeong.
“Let’s head back for now.”
* * *
When Do Gyeong arrived at Maehwa-dang, Arin was sitting quietly on her bed reading a fairy tale book.
“Father!”
“My, you’re still awake?”
He’d come on the chance that she might be sleeping, but there she was, still up.
Do Gyeong scooped her up at once, and Arin rubbed her eyes.
“Hehe, I couldn’t fall asleep.”
Since Seol-i had left, sleeping alone felt terribly lonely to Arin.
Each time she saw the empty space where Seol-i used to lie, her heart grew heavier.
“I miss Seol-i.”
“…And not your own father?”
Do Gyeong asked with a pout, and Arin’s eyes widened.
Uncertain how to defend herself, she hesitated—but then Do Gyeong pulled out something he’d been hiding behind his back.
“I thought as much, so I brought you a friend.”
“Wow!”
What Do Gyeong offered was a golden tiger doll.
“I hope this little one will do.”
“Thank you! I love it so much!”
Arin hugged the doll to her chest and broke into a bright smile.
She had been downhearted all evening, so it was a relief to see her spirits lift.
Then Arin asked him a question.
“Where were you just now?”
“Hmm?”
“You have a leaf in your hair.”
Arin tapped her own head lightly, and Do Gyeong casually brushed it out.
“I went for a night walk.”
“At this hour?”
“There are children who don’t sleep at this hour either. What’s the fuss?”
Do Gyeong tapped Arin’s nose lightly, and the girl burst into delighted laughter.
“To grow well, you must sleep well.”
“But I can’t fall asleep.”
“I’ll stay until you do.”
“Really?”
“Yes. I’ll even sing you a lullaby, so go to sleep now.”
“Hehe.”
Do Gyeong led Arin to the bed.
He brushed her forehead gently, then began to sing a soft lullaby.
The patting of his hand and the low, gentle melody filled the room.
Arin clutched her tiger doll close and closed her eyes.
With Do Gyeong at her side, her heart felt at peace.
After Arin had fallen soundly asleep,
Do Gyeong gazed down at the sleeping child.
Her cheeks, grown plump and soft, were nothing like when he’d first found her.
Watching the once-wary child sleep peacefully before him, his chest tightened.
According to Yeo Ryeong, the girl still believed herself to be worthless.
‘I can’t imagine how much this little one must have suffered all this time.’
Perhaps he should go and tear down one of Hong Sa-ga’s pillars.
Do Gyeong composed himself, pressed his lips to Arin’s forehead, and whispered tenderly.
“Sleep well, my daughter.”
* * *
The next morning.
Cho Ryeong noticed the tiger doll in Arin’s arms and showed interest.
“My, what’s that?”
“Dad gave it to me. Her name is Hae-rang. It means a tiger bright as the sun.”
It was a name he’d thought of all that morning.
Cho Ryeong found it endearing how Arin refused to let Hae-rang leave her arms.
“It suits her perfectly.”
Today was the day they’d planned to carve seals together.
Symbolic objects used to mark letters or gifts, marking oneself.
“It’s best to carve a symbol of yourself on the seal—usually a favorite flower or animal.”
“What did you carve on yours?”
“A sparrow. Don’t you think it’s cute?”
At Cho Ryeong’s words, Arin suddenly felt curious.
“Do you know what Dad and my brothers carved on theirs?”
She wanted to match them if possible—make it a family thing.
“Would you like to ask them? We’ll pass the Master’s study on the way to get the seals carved.”
“Let’s go!”
Arin had taken Cho Ryeong’s hand and was heading toward Do Gyeong’s study when
she spotted Do Hun in the distance, heading somewhere with a White Lily in his hand.
Cho Ryeong, seeing this, murmured as they passed.
“He’s off to see Jin Gyeong again, it seems.”
Arin watched Do Hun’s retreating figure quietly.
His shoulders looked somehow hunched.
‘That’s the direction from back then.’
Remembering where she’d first met Do Hun, Arin fell into thought.
Perhaps he’d been going to see Jin Gyeong that day too.
“What kind of person was Jin Gyeong?”
“Well, I’d say she quietly brought peace to a den of fierce tigers.”
“Is that so?”
“She and Do Hun were especially close. Their temperaments were similar too. ……Come to think of it, her Death Anniversary is coming up soon. It might be better to visit the Master another time.”
“It’s fine. I’ll ask him later.”
Arin tactfully changed direction and followed Cho Ryeong.
Yet Do Hun remained on her mind, and she kept glancing back.
* * *
Do Hun looked at Arin with puzzlement as she approached him.
In her hands was a thick book of some kind.
Before long, the child thrust a book toward him and cried out.
“Read me a story, brother.”
For something said so casually, the demand was remarkably forceful.
Do Hun glanced back and forth between the book and Arin, trying to discern her true intent.
“I’m sorry, but I have somewhere to be.”
“Then I’ll come with you.”
As if she’d been waiting for exactly this response, Arin set down the book and gripped Do Hun’s hand tightly.
“Yes? Let’s go together, brother.”
What was she up to all of a sudden?
Do Hun regarded Arin with discomfort as she abruptly clung to him like an old friend.
If he refused, Father would scold him; if he took her along, it would be a nuisance.
Besides, he had nowhere to go in the first place.
“Fine. Come here.”
When Do Hun patted the spot beside him, Arin’s face bloomed with delight.
“Yes!”
Arin settled onto the seat next to him, Hae-rang tucked under her arm.
Do Hun’s gaze drifted to the tiger figurine.
“Did Father give you that?”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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